Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Muğla University, Turkey
Abstract
This paper reviewed the aquacultural history, potential of marine, freshwater finfish and sturgeon in Turkey and gives examples on the other countries. Also this review gives information about legal status, previous studies and projects, origins of the seedlings, natural distribution area, restocking studies and aquaculture opportunities. Since a long time, sturgeon is known as valuable caviar production in Turkish Black Sea region. Turkish Black Sea coast is approximately 1685 km long. There were the six indigenous sturgeon species known in the Black Sea; but last studies show that only three species (Huso huso, Acipenser stellatus, Acipenser gueldensteatdii) are frequently found. These data indicate that the other three species (A. ruthenus, A. sturio, A. nudiventris) are in poor existence in the Black sea. The sturgeons are nearly become an extinct because of the over fishing, water pollution and dam and dike constructions on the way of spawning areas. Aquaculture is the only way to increase and protect the natural stocks of this species all over the world.
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